Full Circle

Today a dream came true for this artist. It is no secret that we all need affirmation from time to time. No matter how confident we feel about our work there is always room for a little bit of encouragement. Artists are known for their torment and struggle. In some ways I am no different. I have painted all of my life and most of those years were pretty thankless. Perhaps there are many reasons for that, perhaps my work was never good enough. I recall as child being in the Brampton Civic Center Library and seeing an oil painting on the wall near the front desk. I remember it like it was yesterday. A painting of a barn on a hill with stormy clouds behind it. I used to stare at that painting for many reasons not the least was for wondering who this artists was and how did his painting come to be selected for this such a prominent and well exposed location. Practically everyone goes to the library at one time or another, with kids, to do homework, to research, to view historical records, etc, etc, etc. Now a days even more people have reason to go to their local library due to the embrace of the tech age, the inclusion of computers for the public to have access. Recently a very faithful client of mine mentioned her desire to establish a memorial to her passed parents. It should be in a very public space where all can see. There were ideas discussed for this proposal but the one that seemed to really strike a chord with her was a large painting of yours truly. Some communications were passed back and forth and two months later I am so delighted to have one of my largest paintings permanently hanging in the grand foyer of the very beautiful Whitby Central Library. Besides the pleasure I get from seeing it there I can also know that my children will be able to see it there and show their children one day long into the future. It is a privilege to be an artist. Even more so to be a full time artists. These are both dreams fulfilled in my life. Having paintings all around the CN Tower rotating restaurant is quite a privilege as well, to be sure, but now to see my painting up there in the Library in my home town of Whitby, Ontario, that’s full circle for me. RM www.robertmcaffee.com

This is me at Holly and Roy's cottage painting sketch canvases of Canoe Lake in the summer of 2011.

This sketch above became this finished painting below

The Pine Tree Painter.

How did I become known as the Pine Tree Painter? You could say I paint a lot of Pine Trees, that would be true. I paint a lot of other things too, but Pine Trees, Spruce Trees, Birch and others seem to be a continuous string in what i do. I just like the way they stand there like a custodian of the land. or a greeter to nature. So, I continue down the path with the Pine Tree Painter name on my head, It's ok. Robert McAffee